Local WPS employees head to Puerto Rico

Four Wisconsin Public Service field employees from the Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua and Tomahawk areas will be part of a WPS crew of 20 traveling to Puerto Rico next month to assist with power restoration efforts following Hurricane Maria in September. WPS spokesperson Matthew Cullen said this is the first time WPS crews have been requested to help with restoration outside the continental U.S. The employees are expected to spend four to six weeks repairing portions of the territory’s electric grid. An estimated 40 – 50 percent of residents remain without power.

Project lifesaver

The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office is seeking participants for Project Lifesaver, of which the office recently became a member agency. The program allows law enforcement to more easily locate citizens with cognitive conditions, such as autism, Alzheimer’s or dementia, who may wander. Sheriff Grady Hartman said several incidents led him to believe implementation of the program was necessary. Participants wear a tracking device and the Sheriff’s Office uses a receiver to locate them if they were to become missing. Applications for the program are available through the county Emergency Management Department. Anyone interested may call Ken Kortenhof at 715-361-5167.

Northland Pines recognized for AP testing

Northland Pines School District is one of 447 school districts in the U.S. and Canada, and one of 25 in Wisconsin to be honored by the College Board on the 8th annual AP Honor Roll. To make the honor roll, Northland Pines had to, since 2015, increase the number of students participating in AP while also increasing or maintaining the percentage of students earning AP exam scores of 3 or higher. A representative of the organization said making the honor roll shows that Northland Pines School District is “committed to expanding the availability of AP courses among prepared and motivated students of all backgrounds.”

TL Historical Society

The Three Lakes Historical Society has set a $100,000 goal for its recently-announced capital campaign. Money raised will fund a planned expansion into space that will be created during the Edward U. Demmer Library’s current remodeling project. The society’s historical museum curator, Katie Kirby, said the expansion will give the public greater access to materials and offer a climate-controlled archival storage area. For more information, visit threelakesmuseum.org.

Hot Chocolate Snow Bash

Family fun and dancing are on the menu for the YMCA of the Northwoods’ annual Hot Chocolate Snow Bash fundraiser Jan. 19. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m., with a hot chocolate and cookie social. Music will be provided by TuneSmith Academy bands. There will be family themed raffle baskets, crafts, games and more. All proceeds benefit Y youth and family programs. Entry fee is $10 per family or $5 for a single attendee. For more information, contact Matt, 715-362-9622, Ext. 120.